A. What ideas from the speech given by Barack Obama on March 18, 2008 particularly interested, moved, surprised or puzzled you or raised questions that you would like to have answered?
Annotate those segments with comments, questions and/or reactions.
Highlight 2-3 passages in the speech that are particularly critical.
Bring them to class for our discussion.
B. In class we will talk about these questions and attempt to answer them:
What was he trying to accomplish with these words?
To what historical events or documents does he refer in his speech?
What event or issue led Barack Obama to make his speech?
Why is each relevant to the issues Obama is raising in the speech?
What comment does Barack Obama make about race relations and the way issues of race are discussed in the United States?
How relevant are these issues to your own lives?
How relevant are they to the 2008 presidential campaign?
C. After the discussion in class, consider the following questions by writing your response here.
To what extent do you think Obama's speech might influence the way people talk about race and/or change race relations in the United States?
To what extent do you think Obama's family history factors into his perspective on race in America?
C. After the discussion in class, consider the following questions by writing your response here.